Benjamin Britten

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Britten formed a close friendship with David Hemmings when Hemmings sang as a boy soprano in several of his works. Most notably, Hemmings created the role of Miles in Britten's chamber opera *Turn of the Screw* (1954). Their intimate yet non-sexual relationship is described in John Bridcut's book *Britten's Children* (2006). Although many commentators identified Britten's relationship with Hemmings as based on an infatuation, Hemmings maintained categorically that Britten's conduct with him was beyond reproach at all times. Hemmings had earlier played the title role in Britten's *The Little Sweep* (1952), which was part of Britten's *Let's Make an Opera!* children's production. Britten's interest in Hemmings ceased abruptly from the moment his voice broke, which occurred unexpectedly while he was singing the aria 'Malo' during a performance of *The Turn of the Screw* in 1956 in Paris. Britten was furious, waved Hemmings away, and never had any further contact with him.

Reader's Guide

Britten's work with boy sopranos is exemplified by his collaboration with David Hemmings. Hemmings created the role of Miles in *Turn of the Screw* (1954) and played the title role in *The Little Sweep* (1952). The relationship ended when Hemmings's voice broke during a performance in Paris in 1956, after which Britten had no further contact with him. Hemmings's account of Britten's conduct as beyond reproach is recorded in John Bridcut's book *Britten's Children* (2006).

Did You Know?

• David Hemmings created the role of Miles in Britten's chamber opera *Turn of the Screw* (1954).
• Hemmings earlier played the title role in Britten's *The Little Sweep* (1952), part of *Let's Make an Opera!*
• Britten's interest in Hemmings ceased when Hemmings's voice broke while singing the aria 'Malo' during a performance of *The Turn of the Screw* in Paris in 1956.
• Britten was furious and waved Hemmings away after his voice broke, never contacting him again.
• John Bridcut's book *Britten's Children* (2006) describes the intimate yet non-sexual relationship between Britten and Hemmings.

The Boy Soprano and a Composer's Friendship

David Hemmings was born in Guildford, Surrey, in 1941, the son of a biscuit salesman and a homemaker. His schooling at Alleyn's School, Glyn Grammar School in Ewell, and the Arts Educational Schools steered him toward musical performance. As a boy soprano he sang in several works by the composer Benjamin Britten, and the two forged a close friendship during those years. Hemmings created the role of Miles in Britten's chamber opera Turn of the Screw (1954) and had earlier played the title part in The Little Sweep (1952), part of Britten's Let's Make an Opera! children's production. Their bond, described as intimate yet non-sexual in John Bridcut's 2006 book Britten's Children, was a defining relationship of his youth. It ended as abruptly as it had begun: while singing the aria 'Malo' in Paris in 1956, Hemmings' voice broke unexpectedly. Britten, reportedly furious, waved him away and never spoke to him again. Hemmings maintained throughout his life that Britten's conduct toward him was beyond reproach at every point.

Blowup and the Making of a Star

In 1966 Hemmings' career transformed when Michelangelo Antonioni cast him as the lead in Blowup. Antonioni, who disliked Method acting, wanted a fresh young face and found Hemmings performing in small London theatre. At their first meeting Antonioni reportedly told him, 'You look wrong. You're too young.' The part went to Hemmings after Sean Connery declined, partly because Antonioni would share only a seven-page treatment tucked into a cigarette packet rather than a full script. Playing a trendy London fashion photographer who accidentally captures evidence of a murder, Hemmings became an icon of Swinging London. The film was a critical and commercial triumph for MGM, launching both Hemmings and co-star Vanessa Redgrave into stardom. Hemmings himself reflected, 'I've been discovered half a dozen times. This time I think I've made it.' The role cemented his public image and opened the door to major studio productions in the years that followed.

A Prolific 1960s and 70s

Following Blowup, Hemmings moved rapidly through a string of leading and supporting roles across genres. He played Mordred in Camelot (1967), reuniting with Vanessa Redgrave, and took the title role in the historical epic Alfred the Great (1969). His filmography of this era spans the science fiction comedy Barbarella (1968) with Jane Fonda, the thriller Juggernaut (1974), the horror film Deep Red (1975), and the adventure Islands in the Stream (1977). He also appeared in The Charge of the Light Brigade (1968), The Walking Stick (1970), and The Prince and the Pauper (1977). Around 1967 he co-founded the Hemdale Film Corporation with John Daly, signaling a move toward producing as well as performing. Several of these big-budget pictures, including Camelot and Alfred the Great, failed to recoup their costs, yet Hemmings remained a sought-after presence in both British and international cinema throughout the decade.

Director, Television, and Final Roles

From the late 1970s onward, Hemmings shifted his focus toward directing and supporting acting. His second feature, The 14 (1973), earned the Silver Bear at the 23rd Berlin International Film Festival, a notable mark of international recognition. He directed the cult horror film The Survivor (1981) while working in Australia. After relocating to the United States in the 1980s, he directed episodes of popular television series including Magnum, P.I. and The A-Team, broadening his creative output beyond the feature screen. Yet he never abandoned acting in major motion pictures. His final years saw him in high-profile roles in Gladiator (2000), Spy Game (2001), and Gangs of New York (2002). He passed away on 3 December 2003, just months after completing Gangs of New York, leaving behind a career that spanned boy soprano, Swinging London icon, film director, and character actor across nearly five decades.